Amid DoT push, WhatsApp appears to test SIM-binding, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• WhatsApp is preparing to comply with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) directive on SIM-binding.
• The DoT directive, issued on November 28, 2025, requires messaging platforms to link a user's registered SIM card to the device accessing the service.
• The directive also mandates logging out web-based instances like WhatsApp Web every six hours.
• Meta, WhatsApp's parent company, initially opposed the directive, citing potential disruptions to communication habits.

Detailed Insights:

• The DoT's AI & Digital Intelligence Unit issued the directive under its authority to regulate Telecommunication Identifier User Entity (TIUE).
• TIUE is defined as any online service that uses a phone number as an identifier.
• Meta argued the measures could hinder the use of international numbers during travel or secondary devices.
• Code references to the SIM-binding directions have been detected in the latest beta versions of WhatsApp.
• The sign-in screen may soon display a prompt stating that WhatsApp needs to verify the user's SIM card is in their device due to regulatory requirements in India.

Key Concepts Involved:

• SIM-binding: Linking a user's registered SIM card to the device accessing a service.
• Telecommunication Identifier User Entity (TIUE): Any online service using a phone number as an identifier.